buy car now or still use buses

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I live in a town with good bus transportation - local and to the cities. We don't have a car. Is it a good idea to continue to rely on public transportation (should it continue to be available) or to get a car soon? (and detail with gas supply, parts availability, and other issues)

-- steve (steve@coo.org), October 18, 1999

Answers

I, in the same scenario, would purchase an old used econo car. The present have become gas eaters instead of being more efficient. One has to go back in time. The miracle find is one that while being crucially economical also has a good sized tank.

There has been alerts that public transportation is not one of the more compliant sectors. In addition, if there is any civil unrest, it could be rather terrifying to be standing out at the bus stop.

The choice is always yours, no one can do that for you, and it is for you to weigh your own realities and form the best plan of action for yourself.

-- Paula (chowbabe@pacbell.net), October 18, 1999.


Yes, but repair parts if needed, and buying gas may be a problem or both really expensive?????

-- steve (steve@coo.org), October 18, 1999.

Buy a coupla mountain bikes plus spares. If gas runs out they will be worth a fortune - you will be mugged for them :)

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), October 18, 1999.

I am still looking for a three wheeled bike, a tricycle I guess. I used to see a lot of them when I did more RV camping. It's not easy to carry food or water on a bike. The trykes I remember had an enourmouse basket for cargo just behind the saddle between the two rear wheels. Some of them had 3 or more speeds. Anyone know where I could buy one?

Bill in South Carolina

-- Bill Solorzano (notaclue@webtv.net), October 18, 1999.


I am still looking for a three wheeled bike, a tricycle I guess. I used to see a lot of them when I did more RV camping. It's not easy to carry food or water on a bike. The trikes I remember had an enormous basket for cargo just behind the saddle between the two rear wheels. Some of them had 3 or more speeds. Anyone know where I could buy one?

Bill in South Carolina

-- Bill Solorzano (notaclue@webtv.net), October 18, 1999.



Find an old Chevy of some sort. The reason I suggest Chevrolet is simply one of parts availability and economy. They might not be the best cars in terms of mechanical reliability (although they're not bad) or asthetics or whatever, but the older models using tried and true engine designs (a 350 cu. in. V8, for example) are incredibly reliable and undeniably cheap to repair. A brand-new 350 SHO engine, complete with spark plugs, can be dropshipped from the factory to your door for less than two grand. (Try that with any import car, whose part availability could fall to near zero by mid next year.)

After all, while a car can't run without gas, they -all- need repairs now and then. Chevy parts are sickeningly widespread and usually dirt- cheap. A 70s to early 80s Chevy Malibu rustbucket, for example, with a 305 would be decent. Reasonably good fuel usage (with a good tune- up, I've seen these do 30 MPG. For a car with that mass and bulk this is pretty good.) and cheap as hell to fix, no special tools, no computer-controlled engine or transmission to deal with, off-the- shelf replacement parts that can be had from junkyards. If you wreck it too badly, toss it and get another one. [lol]

-- OddOne (mocklamer_1999@yahoo.com), October 18, 1999.


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